To Win!

1 Corinthians 9:19 Thought I am free and long to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 

How far would you go to win in a battle? The football field, the NASCAR race track, the front register bottom line, an election, the neighbor who keeps violating the rules, the sibling who seems to always get the upper hand, your spouse. How far would you go?

What accommodations would you make to your lifestyle in order to win and keep others committed to Jesus? Would you give more, depriving what you want, in order that those who haven’t heard might hear? Would you get on a plane? Would you live in a foreign country? Would you learn another language?

Our text summarizes Paul’s attitude toward others, especially those who walk with Jesus. He has learned to adapt his life in order to reach those who haven’t heard. But that is not all, he even adapts his life to those who aren’t as strong in the LORD.

Now this doesn’t mean that he compromises the Truth. It does mean that he acknowledges that many things that might be areas of conflict or disagreement between people, that these things just don’t really matter. He sees that there are more areas where compromise can happen than there are areas where inflexibility is a good thing.

Paul goes on to give examples of some of these flexible areas, many of them areas that at one time in his life Paul himself would have defended. But Paul has come under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. He has come closer to hearing the heart of God on these issues. And maybe we should also!

Paul’s goal is to win as many as possible! Is this the focus of our lives? Or do we get caught up in the negotiable and fight the wrong battles, battles of nothing important? I know there have been times when I was on the wrong side, the side pushing the battle. I regret those wasted moments, lost opportunities, unnecessary battles.

I want to encourage you today. There are people in your circle of influence that want to find meaning to life. They are there. Are you willing to reach them without compromise? They will respond to the love we show to each other and toward them.